Earning our Keep

BY JULIE FULTON, TUFTS STUDENT 1995-1999, ACTOR, DIRECTOR, LOS ANGELES, CA
Perhaps the best teachers are those who inspire students to work hard, not for a grade, or simply out of habit, but to earn that teacher’s favor. Tony Cornish is the archetype of the teacher that all students want to impress. Perhaps at first it is the worldly British accent, the charismatic presentations or the surprising way he phrases ordinary ideas. Then, when you are invited to call him ‘Tony’ from the less familiar ‘Anthony,’ it becomes about something different altogether. You seek his approval like a child would a father figure – convinced that his developed critical eye holds the key to the question: Do I have what it takes? Something about Tony's infrequent words of praise inspired us to work harder. Appearing on Tony’s cast lists somehow took on more weight (and inspired more drama) than any other production cast list. Some may say that his encouragement was less generous than other personalities in the drama department. But, arguably because of this, his support was most meaningful. He didn’t dole out unconditional praise, rather he waited until it was warranted and that made it all the more important. We all sought to do our best for him, and therefore, to do the best for ourselves.